B+E test trailer length

Author
Discussion

Howitzer

Original Poster:

2,828 posts

215 months

Sunday 5th October 2014
quotequote all
Hi all,

I am going to book my B+E trailer test and one question has me baffled. It asks for the vehicle length for the test so the examiner can arrange the cones etc. Is this the total vehicle length plus trailer? I will be borrowing a trailer so need to know.

Dave!

TOPTON

1,514 posts

235 months

Sunday 5th October 2014
quotequote all
It is the combined length of vehicle + trailer. As you have said, the examiner sets up the cones on reversing section. 2 X the total length and 3 X the total length

Pebbles167

3,417 posts

151 months

Sunday 5th October 2014
quotequote all
The examiner did it all for me in my test. I didn't think it was down to the candidate.

R0G

4,984 posts

154 months

Sunday 5th October 2014
quotequote all
Howitzer said:
Hi all,

I am going to book my B+E trailer test and one question has me baffled. It asks for the vehicle length for the test so the examiner can arrange the cones etc. Is this the total vehicle length plus trailer? I will be borrowing a trailer so need to know.

Dave!
Total length from front of vehicle to rearmost point of trailer

Here is all you need to know ..... please ensure you check out all the links

The B+E test
No medical or theory test required
Read a number plate from a certain distance
VIDEO - Show Me Tell Me Questions = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqw6Ua3kmFc&fea... - usually 5
The next three can be in any order:-
VIDEO - Reversing Exercise = http://www.drivesafedriving.co.uk/b_e_rev_movie.ht... - done in test centre grounds if test conducted from practical test centre - some tests are now being done from training school grounds
DSA REVERSING TEST AREA DIAGRAM = https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploa...
VIDEO - Uncouple/couple up = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ao_5KOe8dGg&fea... - done in test centre grounds if test conducted from practical test centre - some tests are now being done from training school grounds
One hour road drive - includes the independent drive and is done virtually the same as the basic car test

The trailer must now be loaded with 600 kgs of sand bags or a 1000 kgs water IBC for the test so most companies are now training with that weight in the trailer = https://www.gov.uk/new-laden-testing-rules-for-dri...

Well explained here = http://www.trailertraining-wales.co.uk/test.html

DISCLAIMER - I have no connection to any companies which may be featured in those videos

This is interesting BUT NOT RECOMMENDED – a B licence towing set up can be presented for the B+E test but L plates must be used for the test that means you can train yourself, go to test by yourself, fit L plates, do the test, then, pass or fail, remove L plates and drive away by yourself.
DSA B+E TEST AND VEHICLE/TRAILER REQUIREMENTS = http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensi...
Remember that the required 600 kgs of sand bags or 1 x 1000 IBC filled with water will be required in the trailer and the load must be secure.



SUPERVISING A B+E LEARNER
In April 2010 new rules were introduced for those supervising certain learner drivers but they only affected those supervising VOCATIONAL categories such as C1 C1+E D1 & D1+E where the supervising driver had those categories given to them for free when they passed a pre 1997 car test.
They do not affect those with a pre 1997 B+E licence who wish to supervise a B+E learner.

All B licence holders have B+E provisional on the paper part of their licence and can tow an empty or loaded trailer on all roads including motorways.

The usual rules apply when a learner is driving -
The supervising driver must be aged over 21
The supervising driver must have held a B+E licence for at least 3 years
L plates must be fitted to the front of the vehicle and the rear of the trailer
Correct insurance for a B+E learner
The supervising driver does not need to be insured unless they are driving

Howitzer

Original Poster:

2,828 posts

215 months

Sunday 5th October 2014
quotequote all
Some fantastic replies, very much appreciated guys !!

I now need to get 600kg of sand to rent laugh

Dave!

R0G

4,984 posts

154 months

Sunday 5th October 2014
quotequote all
Howitzer said:
Some fantastic replies, very much appreciated guys !!

I now need to get 600kg of sand to rent laugh

Dave!
It must be bagged with weights on each bag

R0G

4,984 posts

154 months

Sunday 5th October 2014
quotequote all
TOPTON said:
It is the combined length of vehicle + trailer. As you have said, the examiner sets up the cones on reversing section. 2 X the total length and 3 X the total length
That is the old way - new way with a trailer is 2 x length and 2 x length using a narrower area

the_lone_wolf

2,622 posts

185 months

Sunday 5th October 2014
quotequote all
Quick question to the masses as I might need to do my B+E test to haul a boat around in the near future, tried looking a little online but nothing came up instantly...

If you have a full manual B license, but carry out the B+E test in an automatic vehicle, does your B+E entitlement come with any restrictions?

vonhosen

40,198 posts

216 months

Sunday 5th October 2014
quotequote all
the_lone_wolf said:
Quick question to the masses as I might need to do my B+E test to haul a boat around in the near future, tried looking a little online but nothing came up instantly...

If you have a full manual B license, but carry out the B+E test in an automatic vehicle, does your B+E entitlement come with any restrictions?
Yes, it'll be an auto only licence, where as with any of the other vocational licences you'd get a full manual licence following a test in an auto (f you have a full manual B licence).

the_lone_wolf

2,622 posts

185 months

Sunday 5th October 2014
quotequote all
vonhosen said:
Yes, it'll be an auto only licence, where as with any of the other vocational licences you'd get a full manual licence following a test in an auto (f you have a full manual B licence).
Thanks von, what utter f*ckwittery...

I only ask because the only car I own with a towbar is an automatic, I guess most schools will let you borrow (hire?) a "suitable" vehicle for the test

Not that I've been towing and reversing all manner of trailers (within the confines of the stupid B license) for years - my mum still asks me to park her caravan whenever I'm around for christ's sake but according to the DSA I'm not capable of towing it without trundling it between some cones and paying them a king's ransom...

rewc

2,187 posts

232 months

Sunday 5th October 2014
quotequote all
What relevance to the B+E does 600kg of sand have in say a 750kg MGW trailer? As you can tow a combination with a train weight of 3500kg with a normal B licence why do they not make the test weights more compatible with what B+E drivers are likely to tow?

vonhosen

40,198 posts

216 months

Sunday 5th October 2014
quotequote all
rewc said:
What relevance to the B+E does 600kg of sand have in say a 750kg MGW trailer? As you can tow a combination with a train weight of 3500kg with a normal B licence why do they not make the test weights more compatible with what B+E drivers are likely to tow?
For the test it must have a minimum real weight of at least 800kg & a MAM of at least 1 tonne.

rewc

2,187 posts

232 months

Sunday 5th October 2014
quotequote all
vonhosen said:
For the test it must have a minimum real weight of at least 800kg & a MAM of at least 1 tonne.
But that is far lighter than most trailers towed on a B licence with a normal type car. A 1400kg MAM caravan and a Honda CRV has a train weight of under 3500kg. Surely the BE test should involve a combination where the train weight is over 3500kg as that is what it is going to be used for otherwise why bother?

Clivew

348 posts

174 months

Monday 6th October 2014
quotequote all
R0G said:
All B licence holders have B+E provisional on the paper part of their licence and can tow an empty or loaded trailer on all roads including motorways.
That is interesting. I was taking my car and trailer to my son's the other day and thought it would be a good opportunity to let him have a bit of experience towing. As most of the journey would involve motorway driving I phoned the local traffic department and asked if he could tow on the motorway whilst being supervised and the answer from the sergeant on duty was a definite "No".

Where, on the internet, will it tell me the correct answer?

vonhosen

40,198 posts

216 months

Monday 6th October 2014
quotequote all
rewc said:
vonhosen said:
For the test it must have a minimum real weight of at least 800kg & a MAM of at least 1 tonne.
But that is far lighter than most trailers towed on a B licence with a normal type car. A 1400kg MAM caravan and a Honda CRV has a train weight of under 3500kg. Surely the BE test should involve a combination where the train weight is over 3500kg as that is what it is going to be used for otherwise why bother?
Most C1+E & C+IE will be towing less than they normally would when on test (a C+E for instance only has to have an 8 tonne load). They are the 'minimum' requirements for test compliance & are a compromise.

vonhosen

40,198 posts

216 months

Monday 6th October 2014
quotequote all
Clivew said:
R0G said:
All B licence holders have B+E provisional on the paper part of their licence and can tow an empty or loaded trailer on all roads including motorways.
That is interesting. I was taking my car and trailer to my son's the other day and thought it would be a good opportunity to let him have a bit of experience towing. As most of the journey would involve motorway driving I phoned the local traffic department and asked if he could tow on the motorway whilst being supervised and the answer from the sergeant on duty was a definite "No".

Where, on the internet, will it tell me the correct answer?
As long as he has passed he test for a B Licence previously, he can then tow on the motorway as a learner for B+E provided he satisfies the provisional licence requirements.

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1996/3053/regul...

rewc

2,187 posts

232 months

Monday 6th October 2014
quotequote all
Clivew said:
That is interesting. I was taking my car and trailer to my son's the other day and thought it would be a good opportunity to let him have a bit of experience towing. As most of the journey would involve motorway driving I phoned the local traffic department and asked if he could tow on the motorway whilst being supervised and the answer from the sergeant on duty was a definite "No".

Where, on the internet, will it tell me the correct answer?
Does your car + trailer need a BE licence or can it be legally driven by a B licence holder. What is the MAM of the car and the MAM of the trailer? Basically if the trailer has a MAM of 750kg or less then the train weight can be up to 4250kg, if the trailer MAM is over 750kg then the train weight can be up to 3500kg.
The duty Sergeant was correct as learner drivers cannot drive on the motorway but did your combination require a B+E licence in the first place?

Edited by rewc on Monday 6th October 08:43

rewc

2,187 posts

232 months

Monday 6th October 2014
quotequote all
vonhosen said:
Most C1+E & C+IE will be towing less than they normally would when on test (a C+E for instance only has to have an 8 tonne load). They are the 'minimum' requirements for test compliance & are a compromise.
That may be true but at least the train weight falls into the category being tested for. It appears to me that you can take the B+E test with a combination that is legal to drive with class B only. For it to have any relevance IMO the train weight whilst under test should be more than 3500kg plus the trailer MAM should be at least half of the towing vehicle MAM. The B+E group is after all for towing larger trailers.
There is a lot of misinformation out there and ROG has done a good job of clarifying things. There are many with a vested interest who try to suppress information on what you can tow with a B licence.

R0G

4,984 posts

154 months

Monday 6th October 2014
quotequote all
Clivew said:
R0G said:
All B licence holders have B+E provisional on the paper part of their licence and can tow an empty or loaded trailer on all roads including motorways.
That is interesting. I was taking my car and trailer to my son's the other day and thought it would be a good opportunity to let him have a bit of experience towing. As most of the journey would involve motorway driving I phoned the local traffic department and asked if he could tow on the motorway whilst being supervised and the answer from the sergeant on duty was a definite "No".

Where, on the internet, will it tell me the correct answer?
the cop is a numpty because there is nothing in the RTA to say no

Ask the cop where it says you cannot? - that is where the question must be asked

Laws are not usually made to tell you what you can do - most are made to tell you what you cannot do

If there was a law which said you cannot be a learner in a B+E on a motorway then it would be there but it is not

You can be a B auto holder and a B+E manual learner on a motorway
You cab be a B auto holder and B manual learner on a motorway

R0G

4,984 posts

154 months

Monday 6th October 2014
quotequote all
rewc said:
The duty Sergeant was correct as learner drivers cannot drive on the motorway ....
The duty sergeant was NOT correct